Hey all, real quick newby question. My 67 cutlass is loose as a goose. Bounces like a baby carriage and sits low in the *** end. I really don't want to change the springs but would like to at least change the shocks. Anyone know if it would be ok to install heavy duty coil over shocks in the *** end. And regular shocks in the front? Reading the coil overs offer some help to the original springs.
thanks!

 

If you're changing the shocks, the springs are super easy. I vote new shocks and springs.

 

Yep, once the shocks are out, just lift the frame up and the springs will fall out.

I would definitely replace the springs since you said the rear sags. This means the springs are collapsed from their original spring rate, and new springs will raise the rear and restore the proper ride quality.

 

Ya ok so im an idiot. The coil over springs are meant to replace springs and shocks, not just replace shocks with extra help to springs! I definitely dont want to put air bags in. Always was told by the old man, never eff with coil springs. But I think I can at least change the rear coil
springs and new shocks. Who knows, I may feel like I can do the front after!

 

You can get rear shocks with overload springs, which are not the same as coilovers. They used to be popular for towing.

 

That’s valid for front springs, but as said above, rear springs will just fall out when the rearend drops far enough to remove all the spring tension.

 

Contact Coil Spring Specialties in Saint Mary, Kansas, and they will assist you in selecting the correct rear springs for your vehicle. I have used them many times in the past and have always been satisfied. On one occasion, they didn't have a reference for the spring that I needed, so I mailed them one of the original springs. They were able to duplicate it and set it to the correct tension, ensuring the car rode at the correct height.

 

Frankly, if one can't figure out how to safely perform operations on a car, they you're right, you shouldn't. When done correctly and intelligently, changing coil springs is no more dangerous that putting gasoline in the car, but stupidity can make it fatal.

 

Rear springs are stupid easy. Just disconnect the shock, jack up one side of the car and they will fall out.
no jackstands needed.

 

I run air bags in the coil springs with between 9 and 12 lbs and the reduction in body roll was night and day...

 

I have a 66 with QA1 front coil overs/shocks, UMI springs and QA1 shocks in the back. Rides and handles really well and dead hooks on the track. Easy to do, the hard part is installing new coil springs in the front. If you use coil overs, that is eliminated.

 

have install QA1 coil over / shocks on the front and rear of my 1970 added tubular upper A-arms in the front as well. Benefits ride adjustment and multiple spring options.

 

I know I'm a little late to the party here . . .

On my 67, I went with Moog HD rear springs, "overload" shocks, UMI sway bar and McBay Performance 1" lift billet spring spacers to get the stance and I ride that I enjoy.